Jayawerdene to lead Kochi

Ex Minister Shashi Taroor said that Mahela is well experienced to lead the Kochi side and that Sreeshant represents the face of resurgent Kerala.

15 millionaires were created yesterday by the ten franchisees of IPL. G Gambhir led with a contract of $ 2.4 m. The franchisees spent about $ 52.8 m for 72 players sold yesterday. The top seven of the 15 millionaires created were Indians. Y Pathan and Uthappa got contracts of over $ 2 m.

As the cicket's richest and the biggest domestic even unfolded yesterday at Bangalore, records were broken and banks also on the first day of the auction weekend.

Mahela became the highest earning overseas player, bought by Kochi for a whopping $ 1.5 m.

There were no takers for the old Ganguly, Lara or Gayle. After all Ganguly and Lara had retired from cricket. The demand was for the younger, high impact men and genuine multitasking all rounders.

Irfan Patha's buy was a surprise - he was bought for $1.9 m, despite being injured for most of the domestic season and being out of the World Cup probables.

Yuvraj was snapped up by Pune Warriors for $ 1.8 m. He may become the captain of the Pune side.